Come and Have Breakfast
“Come and have breakfast.” (John 21:12)
Many accounts of the ministry of Jesus in the Gospels centre around meals. However, there is one meal that is particularly significant for me. After his resurrection, Jesus invited his disciples to have breakfast with him by the Sea of Galilee (John 21:1-19). During this meal, Peter, who had earlier denied Jesus three times, was restored and recommissioned.
Three times Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?” and each time, Peter responded in the affirmative (John 21:15-17). Jesus then reaffirmed Peter with these words: “Feed my lambs… Tend my sheep… Feed my sheep…” (John 21:15, 16, 17). Following this, Jesus issued a final call to Peter: “Follow me” (John 21:19, 22). After having breakfast with Jesus, Peter was a changed person. He was one of the pillars of the early church in Jerusalem, and remained faithful to his calling.
If we feel that we are not worthy to serve the Lord because of our past failures, John 21:1-19 reminds us that Jesus is not finished with us yet. We may be at the crossroads of our lives, feeling lost and not knowing the next step we should take. We may be confused by recent events we have encountered.
In moments of frustration, disappointment, and discouragement, we may choose to go our own way and do things according to our own strength and effort. Despite our failures, Jesus will forgive and restore us to serve him.
Like the disciples, in moments like these, let us accept the invitation of Jesus to have breakfast with Him (John 21:12). It is time to renew our strength in His presence and to sit at His feet to hear His tender voice speaking to us: “Feed my lambs… Tend my sheep… Feed my sheep… Follow me.”